Product Description
Benjamin Sword Hoppner, philanthropist and visionary, has created his own utopia in the Central American cloud forests, governed by a strict moral code. He's promised financial support to anyone who can satisfy him of their good character. And Mark Weston is determined to do exactly that. Journeying through country still devastated by war, Mark reaches Hoppner's isolated "perfect society", only to discover that his generosity comes with terrible strings attached... ... Read more

Product Description
FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD 1999

When Kate Banner, an American midwife in Nicaragua, loses another patient - a young Nicaraguan woman who had given birth only the night before - she knows it is time to go home.Travelling home leads her to Guatemala, where she becomes involved with the innocent victims of war.Through her experiences and encounters, Kate finds a place she can connect with and call home far away from her American birthplace.

Patricia Henley's Hummingbird House is a devastatingly powerful and emotional story of a human heart unbinding itself in the most unjust of worlds.Amazon.com Review
Kate Banner, an American midwife, heads to Mexico for a three-week visit inthe mid-1980s and ends up staying south of the border for eight years.From Mexico she travels first to Nicaragua and then to Guatemala, twonations torn by revolution and sunk in horrific poverty and violence. Alongthe way, she delivers babies, administers what first aid she can, andbecomes involved with a group of activists, most of them from North America.The novel opens in the midst of a hurricane, during which a young pregnantwoman goes into labor in a rowboat. Kate successfully delivers the child,but the mother dies soon afterwards. It is this event that starts thewandering midwife thinking about going home at last.When a longtime loveaffair with an American arms supplier to the Sandinistas goes south, Kateheads to Guatemala where friends have a house for a little rest and somethinking time. All thoughts of Indiana are banished, however, when shemeets her fellow lodger, Father Dixie Ryan, a priest who is struggling withhis vocation. The two become lovers and decide to open Hummingbird House, aclinic and school for Guatemalan children. Unfortunately, even the bestintentions can go disastrously awry, and Kate must experience terrible lossbefore she can find eventual salvation.

Patricia Henley spent many months traveling the roads her fictional heroinetreads, gathering firsthand accounts from refugees, activists, andindigenous people. Though her novel never feels researched, every pagebristles with quiet indignation at the political and military atrocitiesvisited upon the innocent. "The maps do not tell you that the forests ofBelize and Honduras were cut down to rebuild London after the Great Firesof 1666," Kate muses, sitting in her kitchen in the Guatemalan highlands.

They do not show you the scars of Nicaraguan children who lost their armsand legs when their school bus struck a Contra mine buried in the road. Nordo the maps delineate the precise number of Mayan cornfields soaked ingasoline and set afire by Guatemalan government soldiers. And they cannottell you the exact words of the sermon given by Oscar Arnulfo Romero, thearchbishop of San Salvador, before his murder at his own altar.

Customer Reviews (21)

Witness to Tragedy
"Hummingbird House" is the story of Kate, a 40-something midwife who travels to Mexico for a few weeks in the 1980s, and ends up staying in Central America (Guatemala and Nicaragua) for eight years. Although this is a novel, the descriptions of poverty and political turmoil feel very, very real. However, the novel never gets preachy, instead presenting the story from Kate's and others' points-of-view of their own circumstances.

Kate Banner is not a saint, she is a medical professional with her own troubles and upset life, trying to provide whatever care she can in trying circumstances. She struggles with a failed love life and a desire to help those she can. When she finds herself sharing a house with Father Dixie Ryan, it soon leads to creation of Hummingbird House, a school and clinic for Guatemalan children. The individual lives portrayed in the story are indeed compelling, and Kate's desire to create something useful, not merely to shake one's head and look away, is admirable, even if it doesn't solve all of the personal problems she faces.

This was a first novel for Patricia Henley, and it is an amazing one. I would compare this novel to "Bel Canto" by Ann Patchett for its gritty realism and interesting way of telling the story of life south of our border. In addition to being a great book, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book are being donated by Henley to human rights groups; she is certainly an author who has aligned her actions with her words, and in the case of "Hummingbird House," the words she uses to share this story are fascinating ones indeed.

I found it beautiful
This book was so delicious for someone who has traveled through south america... i found myself back in the streets, back on the bus,and back amoung these countries rich with culture and pain. I thought Kate Banner was a well developed and accessible character, and her story was crafted in such a way that each moment had signifigance. It broke my heart. I would read it again and recommend it to others.

Fabulous!
Having lived in Antigua, I was very excited to read this novel.The author did not disappoint!Beautifully written!

A Brilliant And Moving Novel
Central America was rife with revolutionary upheavals and repressive violence during the 1970s and 1980s. Popular demand for social justice collided with traditional agrarian, almost feudal, societies. The rapid expansion of commercial agriculture drove small peasants off the land and into urban areas where they did not have the skills to make a living, and lost their pride in indigenous traditions and their positions of worth in their local communities. Industrial development fostered the growth of the urban working class and middle class, creating professional and blue collar jobs, but the poor and uneducated remained disenfranchised, with extremely high infant mortality rates, and almost no healthcare. The usually conservative Catholic Church became an agent for justice, popular mobilization and change. People demanded democratic reforms in the authoritarian political system, long dominated by landed elites and protected by vicious dictators and their military. In Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador, the reformist wave was broken by more repression and the mass murder of local populations.

Kate Banner, a trained midwife, travels to Chiapas, Mexico in 1981, to visit her best friend, Maggie. She meets a man, Mark Deaver, the son of a wealthy American woman who has settled there. Mark is an adventurer of sorts, who will eventually run guns for the Sandinistas. Kate believes they will return to the United States one day, or somewhere away from the violence in Central America, and make a life together. In the meantime, she works with some of the 100,000 Guatemalan refugees who fled over the border to Chiapas for asylum, to escape the violence in their homeland. She delivers babies, administers first aid, and assists doctors, whenever one happens to appear. While Kate had never thought of herself as a revolutionary, she was strongly impacted, as a young girl, by the Civil Rights Movement, the bombing of the Baptist Church in Birmingham, the murders of innocent students at Kent State University, the protests against the War in Vietnam, photographs of Vietnamese children screaming with napalm burning their backs. She remembers the nuns telling her to "remember that you have been called to live in freedom." "You shall love they neighbor as thyself." Although she never believed in armed struggle, like Mark - she did want to help the victims of the violence.

Eight years after her arrival in Mexico, Kate is living in Sandinista held Nicaragua, working in a clinic for women and children. She and Maggie are members of a community of activists, dedicated to helping the people of war-torn Nicaragua. Unfortunately, her relationship with Mark has been on the wane for some time, which causes her a great deal of anguish. While she still loves him, he has never really met her needs, or even knows what they are. She has finally come to grips with the futility of their relationship, and acknowledges the pivotal moment she has arrived at in her life. It is time to move on. After a hurricane hits, Kate delivers a baby in the bottom of a swamped boat. When the mother dies, Kate packs the few possessions she has. After years of service, she is physically and emotionally exhausted, and very sad. It is time to leave for the US. She wants Maggie to accompany her to Antigua, Guatemala, and stay with some close friends they haven't seen in a while. Then - on to Michigan. Maggie, however, has ideas of her own. She wants to travel into the countryside with Bob, the new man in her life, and will meet up with Kate in Antigua.

Kate's journey north, into the seething politics and secret wars of Guatemala, will provide the most difficult challenges she has ever faced. She will also meet people who will change her life forever, and find grace and love where she never thought to.

This is a story as powerful and compelling as you will ever read. Patricia Henley's masterful narrative and elegant prose illuminate the characters she brings to life on the page - people determined to stand-up for their rights to live free. She infuses "Hummingbird House" with passion, beauty, outrage, despair and hope. The novel concludes with these moving lines, "We see with quite clear eyes the war beneath the wars. If you pass this story along, make sure you get it straight. What little balm we have, we have against all odds. Do not walk away in sorrow. Do not be consoled."
JANA

A rich and tersely cogent novel for real readers
I believe this novel would impress anyone, especially those who have intimate awareness of the political chaos of Guatemala, Nicaragua and Mexico.However, as discussed in other interviews, it does little to politically penetrate these disturbances.I felt this omissionwas the genius behind the novel.

It is a very dense book, with subject matter quite complicated and diverse.It was, as other reviewers have noted, somewhat challenging to get into.It was difficult to feel just where the protagonist (Kate Banner, midwife) was going and what exactly motivated her anxiety.But, in the end, I find that given the situation, it is a perfect reflection of where and what was going on.How can plans be made when everything can change overnight?

Meet Kate Banner, in the first chapter delivering a newborn in a boat during the aftermath of a hurricane.The infant lives and the mother unexpectantly dies. After years of giving medical care to the poor, managingwomen's clinics,daubing in dangerous activist circles, exhausted, unsatisfied in love and mentally bereft, she seriously flirts with going back home to the United States.

It is not a surprise to see her attempts thwarted in just about every way.Friends from the past unveil their secret lives, placing all contacts in peril.The horrors of the Sandinistas and Contrasbecome increasingly obvious to her, and unexpectantly, a helpless orphan toddler latches on to her hand and never lets go.The more she tries to pull away from Central America, the more the people, the history and the turmoil itself hold her fast.

There is joy for Kate, though. In stark contrast to the political environs,there is joy in a new love, joy in the nurturing of her adopted orphan girl, joy in the beautifully described region, fauna and people. There is joy in making plans to open Hummingbird House, offering a clinic and school to a small pocket of Guatemalan mountain villagers. and the vision sustains and nourishes her.It is a story of hope and survival.

This is an extremely sensitive novel, and the restraint that the author maintained placed the emphasis just where it belonged. ... Read more

Product Description
riving full-steam-ahead with her life after the un-expected death of her husband, Annie Szabo was not planning on veering off course again. But her late husband's family, an outrageous and proud clan of Gypsies, has other plans. When Annie's oldest friend Jerry turns up dead, she is plunged back into the family she once tried to leave behind. Suspecting murder, Annie is forced to form an alliance with Madame Mina, her stubborn and powerful mother- in-law, the heart of the Szabo family tree. Determined to catch Jerry's killer, the two women must unlock the pattern of a tapestry wild with lawyers, criminals, magic, and even more death. One thing is certain-to catch a killer with a hidden agenda, Annie and Mina must use all of their resources: ancient curses, a talent for petty theft, bizarre love magic, a Gypsy PI, and a strong sense of humor. Rising from the center of this mayhem is a strange Romani man, the Hummingbird Wizard. Appearing in Annie's life, and in Annie's bed, he could prove to be the only one to help her bring the scattered pieces of her life and community together. Or, he could tear it apart forever in a wake of passion and horrible revenge. Sexy, witty, suspenseful, and wildly original, Meredith Blevins paints a portrait of a vibrant family, led by two bold women who refuse to let a little homicide ruin their enjoyment of life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Light Mystery, Heavy Romance
Meredith Blevins published her debut novel, "The Hummingbird Wizard," in 2003.It is the first in her Annie Szabo series of mysteries, set among the Romany, or gypsy people, of California.Annie's a California girl of Irish descent who marries into the gypsies, and finds herself the daughter-in-law of Madame Mina Szabo, fortune teller.Shortly thereafter, Jerry, Annie's best friend growing up, in the days before smog, marries Madame Mina's daughter Capri, whom he met at Annie's wedding.Capri trains acrobats at the Circus School of Performing Arts when she's not drinking.

Annie's husband ends up dead in the first chapter, might as well let her tell you, as she does it so well: "We had two girls in three years....When I was pregnant with child three, Stevan [that's the way she spells it] sailed off a cliff into the Pacific Ocean.No drugs or alcohol involved, just a French motorcycle and exuberance around the curves that threw him over the edge.Sometimes joy rides a line precariously close to destruction." So Annie undertakes to make a precarious living for herself and her three daughters by freelance journalism, and, let me tell you, from my personal experience, there's hardly any more precarious way to make a living.Some years later, Annie's old friend Jerry is found mysteriously dead in an alley behind his office, and Annie finds herself drawn to look into it.

You can see that Annie is observant and witty; well, really, so is every other fictional female detective in America, it seems.But she does have a way with a snappy line that helps keep the pages turning.The mystery per se is okay, but not particularly deep, complex, nor puzzling.As to the gypsy background, yeah, yeah, nowadays, there are mysteries set among American Indians, academics, book sellers, and, for all I know, telephone company linemen.Madame Mina struck me as a walking cliché, down to her red underwear -- is there anyone here who doesn't remember the red satin crinoline Rhett Butler memorably gave Scarlett O'Hara's Mammy in "Gone with the Wind?"It caused her to like him so much better?At any rate, I was not convinced that Blevins knew much more about gypsies than anyone else who watches television and goes to the movies.

"The Hummingbird Wizard --" just what is a hummingbird wizard anyway? --- is surely a woman's book.In fact, the book, from its title throughout, struck me as more a bodice ripper than a mystery, and might best be read by romance fans.

More a Bodice Ripper Than a Mystery
"The Hummingbird Wizard," published in 2003, was the debut novel of Meredith Blevins, and the first in her Annie Szabo series of mysteries, set among the Romany, or gypsy people, of California.Annie's a girl of Irish descent who marries into the gypsies, and finds herself the daughter-in-law of Madame Mina Szabo, fortune teller.Shortly thereafter, Jerry, Annie's best friend growing up, marries Madame Mina's daughter Capri, whom he met at Annie's wedding.Capri trains acrobats at the Circus School of Performing Arts when not drinking.

Annie's husband ends up dead in the first chapter, might as well let her tell you: "We had two girls in three years....When I was pregnant with child three, Stevan [that's the way she spells it] sailed off a cliff into the Pacific Ocean.No drugs or alcohol involved, just a French motorcycle and exuberance around the curves that threw him over the edge.Sometimes joy rides a line precariously close to destruction." So Annie undertakes to make a precarious living for herself and her three daughters by freelance journalism, and, let me tell you, from my personal experience, there's hardly any more precarious way to make a living.Some years later, Annie's old friend Jerry is found mysteriously dead in an alley behind his office, and Annie finds herself drawn to look into it.

You can see that Annie is observant and witty; well, really, so is every other fictional female detective in America, it seems.But she does have a way with a snappy line that helps keep the pages turning.The mystery per se is okay, but not particularly deep, complex, nor puzzling.As to the gypsy background, yeah, yeah, nowadays, there are mysteries set among American Indians, academics, book sellers, and, for all I know, migrant farm laborers.Madame Mina struck me as a walking cliché, down to her red underwear -- is there anyone here who doesn't remember the red satin crinoline Rhett Butler memorably gave Scarlett O'Hara's Mammy in "Gone with the Wind?"It caused her to like him so much better?At any rate, I was not convinced that Blevins knew much more about gypsies than anyone else who watches television and goes to the movies.

"The Hummingbird Wizard --" just what is a hummingbird wizard anyway? --- is surely a woman's book.In fact, the book, from its title throughout, struck me as more a bodice ripper than a mystery, and might best be read that way.

Gypsies and Caucasians and a Murder Mystery, Oh my!
Put into a blender a Caucasian northen-Cailfornian, her Gypsy mother-in-law who reads cards and shops at Frederick's of Hollywood, San Francisco, a sequin body-suited sister-in-law, and the death of an old friend.Add THE HUMMINGBIRD WIZARD. Then call up all your friends and force them to read it for themselves. After the first chapter they'll leave you money in their will.And there's more in the series.

Mystery of Gypsies
In the house where I grew up, Gypsy music was played everyday, and Gypsies' life and culture were considered the most mysterious and romantic. But I was told to lock up all doors of our dacha whenever traveling Gypsies broke camp by the nearest train station. Contradiction? Not in the least, and "The Hummingbird Wizard" shows why--with sparkling humor and characters whose problems are a blast to be submerged into. I loved the novel, the author's voice, and the way she portrayed this colorful and amazing ethnic group.

3.5 stars - A delightful debut.
Strengths:a wonderful protagonist who serves as the eye in the middle of a tornado of delightful, quirky characters who are wonderfully drawn by the author; and a wonderful style of writing with some funny lines and lyric phrases.Weaknesses:The relationships are so complex I had trouble keeping track; and although you are told Annie has three daughters, you only meet and told the name of one of them.But the strengths definitely overcome the weaknesses and combine to make for a delightful debut.The next book is already on my shelf. ... Read more

Product Description
In her newest book for Rodale, the irrepressible Sally Roth zeroes in on one of North America's best-loved backyard birds-the hummingbird-and on the beautiful, delicate insects that are all the rage among nature enthusiasts-butterflies.

Becoming a dual hummingbird/butterfly watcher couldn't be more natural for backyard gardeners and nature lovers because both of these types of winged creatures are attracted to beautiful nectar flowers. Sally Roth is a passionate gardener, and she shares all her best recommendations on the perfect flowers to plant to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. She has even included her original garden designs especially appealing to hummingbirds and butterflies, including an herb garden for butterflies, a red-hot garden for hummingbirds, and a $10 garden for butterflies (you can plant it for less than $10). And, of course, all of Sally's advice is all-organic!

There's lots more you can do to attract and preserve butterflies and hummingbirds besides plant flowers, so Sally shares plenty of great tips and techniques for:

* Using and maintaining nectar feeders
* Setting up hummingbird misters and making butterfly mud puddles
* Attracting a wider range of butterflies by offering special foods other than nectar
* Providing nesting sites and nest materials for hummingbirds
* Understanding and observing butterfly life cycles
* Choosing and using equipment for watching and photographing butterflies and hummingbirds

Attracting Butterflies and Hummingbirds to Your Backyard includes Sally's unique field guide to identifying hummingbirds and butterflies. No stuffy scientific lingo here. Sally's writing is light and entertaining throughout her descriptions of each lovely hummingbird and butterfly, and she tells it as she sees it in describing the sometimes less-than-lovely looks of caterpillars. Sally also lists favorite nectar flowers for each type of butterfly and hummingbird.Amazon.com Review
This accessible, comprehensive volume will answer any and all questionsabout the visiting habits of hummingbirds and butterflies. Which flowersattract butterflies? Why do hummingbirds fly toward the color red?What's the role of water in attracting these revelatory creatures acrossthe garden's boundary? The book opens with a chapter called "TheBasics," which explains where and when hummingbirds and butterflies tend toemerge and their migration patterns, climate preferences, and life cycles.Later chapters include "Tempting Butterflies with Treats" and"Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden Designs." It concludes with a seriesof clear drawings of various species and their identifyingcharacteristics, favored plants, range, and habitat. Writer SallyRoth is a natural guide to this flying world, and although her textcontains reams of information, it never seems complicated oroverwhelming. Well organized with illuminating sidebars and remarkableclose-up photographs--a mother hummer feeding her young in their tinynest--Attracting Butterflies and Hummingbirds to Your Backyardwill help you turn your garden into a destination for these miraculousguests. --Emily White ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Good reference
This is a super resource. It has great info on both the host and nectar plants of butterflies, talks to the different needs of hummingbirds and the plants they like, how to set up the garden to be most inviting.There are full chapters on things like "the lure of water", "the shletering garden", garden designs, butterfly & hummingbird behavior, etc. There's a section on hummingbird feeders as well as butterfly feeders (rotting fruit - they love it!) It's a great into to the lives of butterflies and hummingbirds, explaining the cycles they go through and their needs and has really straightforward info/ideas on how to create the habitat that will be right for them. The photographs of the caterpillars, butterflies and hummingbirds (even one feeding young in a nest) are fantastic.It also tells (a little bit) about how caterpillars overwinter. Really one of the best books I've seen on the topic - glad I bought it - its a lot of fun!I highly recommend it for anyone looking to set up a garden to attract these folks or augment an existing garden.Build it and they will definitely come!We've had great succeses!

Delightful!
I received this for Christmas and have read it three times since then, referring to it constantly as I build our new hummingbird/butterfly friendly backyard. Sally Roth has changed the way I garden - her relaxed style, her obvious pleasure in her subject, the wonderful photographs, great descriptions of hummingbirds, butterflies and the plants to sustain them, have made organic gardening accessible and understandable. I have always had a no-spray garden, but always felt some distress when things started getting chewed, as will happen. Now I look eagerly for the first signs of 'munching' on the passiflora I just planted, hoping for some fritillary action. Host plants are now mixed in with the nectar flowers - and I can't wait to see a monarch caterpillar on the milkweed! Thanks, Sally! I have hung up the big giant strawberry feeder with pride!

Wonderful!
I borrowed this book from our local library, and I read it from cover to cover!Most gardening books are good for browsing, but are too boring to read.I am an avid gardener and bird/butterfly watcher, and I found this book VERY informative, well illustrated and also well written.I've added this book to my wishlist hoping someone will buy it for me!If you're interested in butterflies or hummingbirds, this is the book for you!

A beautiful book - enjoy and be inspired
I've read a number of gardening books lately, as I have decided to start gardening.This is one of the best.There are beautiful photographs and illustrations of flowers, butterflies and hummingbirds.The author has an obvious love of the subject.She doesn't make the whole gardening idea into a religion, however.She has a light touch, tells some stories on herself, gives a lot of good advice and makes the whole thing seem like a joy, not a chore. ... Read more

Product Description
Since 1973, Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life. ... Read more

Product Description
Jewel of the avian world, the hummingbird is an amazing combination of beauty and speed. Hummingbird expert Nancy Newfield explores the rich and complex world ofthis fascinating species. Her engaging text covers every aspect of these tiny and remarkable creatures. Over 120 lavish photos show the hummingbird in all its colorful glory. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Hummingbird paradise
Perhaps I'm a little biased toward this book because I'm close friends with the author, however, I recommend this book for the beautiful artwork and highly informative text.Nancy definitely knows her hummingbirds!For the hummingbird enthusiast, I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (6)

Hummingbirds - Fact or fiction?
My husband and I recently moved to the country. The former owners left us a hummibgbird feeder. Having little knowledge of hummingbirds but having heard many opinions and suggestions from friends, we searched for a book that would separate fact from fiction. Hummingbirds is the perfect book for detailed yet user friendly info. The pictures are beautiful and we were able to get the information we were looking for. Thanks to the book, we now have three feeders with regular customers!

More pretty fluff on hummingbirds
From the abysmal accuracy level of many popular books on hummingbirds, it seems that book editors figure they don't need quality text by a knowledgeable author as long as they've got a bunch of spectacular photos to seduce people into buying the book. Unfortunately, "Hummingbirds: Jewels on Air" follows this disappointing pattern: Gorgeous to look at and even readable, but painfully short on substance. Neither the author's professed enthusiasm for the subject nor her previous writing experience seems to have prepared her for the challenge of writing a credible book on hummingbirds.

I'd love to see a list of resources the author used in her research, because I suspect that she just repeated inaccurate and outdated information from other popular books without bothering to correspond with bona fide hummingbird experts or consult scientific references for verification. There are too many examples to list, but here are a few:

* The author states, "You would have to eat 20,000 calories daily or 50 pounds of sugar to keep pace with just one hummingbird." Actually, in the case of a hypothetical 150-pound person eating like a Ruby-throated-sized hummingbird, it's more like 130,000 calories or 70 pounds of sugar.

* The author repeats the myth that bats have poor eyesight, when in fact the bats to which she's referring are nectar specialists with large, sensitive eyes that help them locate their flowers. A later statement about bats feeding at hummingbird feeders suggests that the author is unaware that not all bats feed on nectar and that in the U.S. those that do are found only along the Mexican border.

* The statement that bats and insects cannot feed from long tubular flowers is incorrect. Many bat-pollinated flowers are tubular, including some tropical species of Datura or angel's trumpets, and nectar-drinking bats have extremely long tongues that allow them to reach the sweet stuff inside. Hawk moths also have very long tongues for feeding from tubular flowers (remember the one in "Silence of the Lambs"?).

* Likewise the claim that insects can't hover to feed on flowers; this will come as a huge surprise to the bee flies and hawk moths, which feed at flowers like hummingbirds do (and have probably been doing so for millions of years longer). The book later contradicts itself with a reference to the hummingbird-like flight of "hummingbird moths," a name applied to several smallish species of hawk moths, also claiming that these moths are larger than some hummingbirds (some hawk moths are larger than some hummingbirds, but not the ones that are commonly confused with hummingbirds).

* The statement late in Part One that hummingbirds "are the smallest birds in the world, equivalent in size to a human thumb and weighing no more than a penny" leaves the reader with the mistaken impression that all hummingbirds are that small and contradicts a size comparison between the smallest and largest species that appeared 11 pages earlier.

I gave this book two stars because it's not the worst book on hummingbirds ("Hummingbirds of North America" by Dan True is the top contender for that title, IMO), but it's still a long way from the best book on the subject. I was tempted to give it a third star just for the photos, but that wouldn't be fair since the author didn't do her own photography and photographers don't receive royalties on books like this.

Since "Hummingbirds: Beauty in Flight," with text by Arizona hummingbird researcher Karen Krebbs, is apparently out of print, "The World of the Hummingbird" by Robert Burton might be the best alternative for a general-interest book on hummingbirds. Burton's British and so can't claim anything close to Krebbs's in-depth familiarity with hummingbirds, but he's a well-known naturalist with several other bird books to his credit.

From an Ornithologist
I take issue with the prior review, as I am one of the ornithologists that the author consulted in the writing of this book. It should be noted that a coffee table book will not have the length to be extensive, nor will it be able to include every detail regarding its subject.

More pretty fluff on hummingbirds
From the abysmal accuracy level of many popular books on hummingbirds, it seems that book editors figure they don't need quality text by a knowledgeable author as long as they've got a bunch of spectacular photos to seduce people into buying the book. Unfortunately, "Hummingbirds: Jewels on Air" follows this disappointing pattern: Gorgeous to look at and even readable, but painfully short on substance. Neither the author's professed enthusiasm for the subject nor her previous writing experience seems to have prepared her for the challenge of writing a credible book on hummingbirds.

I'd love to see a list of resources the author used in her research, because I suspect that she just repeated inaccurate and outdated information from other popular books without bothering to correspond with bona fide hummingbird experts or consult scientific references for verification. There are too many examples to list, but here are a few:

* The author states, "You would have to eat 20,000 calories daily or 50 pounds of sugar to keep pace with just one hummingbird." Actually, in the case of a hypothetical 150-pound person eating like a Ruby-throated-sized hummingbird, it's more like 130,000 calories or 70 pounds of sugar.

* The author repeats the myth that bats have poor eyesight, when in fact the bats to which she's referring are nectar-feeding specialists with large, sensitive eyes that help them locate their flowers. A later statement about bats feeding at hummingbird feeders suggests that the author is unaware that not all bats feed on nectar and that in the U.S. those that do are found only along the Mexican border.

* The statement that bats and insects cannot feed from long tubular flowers is incorrect. Many bat-pollinated flowers are tubular, including some tropical species of Datura or angel's trumpets, and nectar-drinking bats have extremely long tongues that allow them to reach the sweet stuff inside. Hawk moths also have very long tongues for feeding from tubular flowers (remember the one in "Silence of the Lambs"?).

* Likewise the claim that insects can't hover to feed on flowers; this will come as a huge surprise to the bee flies and hawk moths, which feed at flowers like hummingbirds do (and have probably been doing so for millions of years longer). The book later contradicts itself with a reference to the hummingbird-like flight of "hummingbird moths," a name applied to several smallish species of hawk moths, also claiming that these moths are larger than some hummingbirds (some hawk moths are larger than some hummingbirds, but not the ones that are commonly confused with hummingbirds).

* The statement late in Part One that hummingbirds "are the smallest birds in the world, equivalent in size to a human thumb and weighing no more than a penny" leaves the reader with the mistaken impression that all hummingbirds are that small and contradicts a size comparison between the smallest and largest species that appeared 11 pages earlier.

I gave this book two stars because it's not the worst book on hummingbirds ("Hummingbirds of North America" by Dan True is the top contender for that title, IMO), but it's still a long way from the best book on the subject. I was tempted to give it a third star just for the photos, but that wouldn't be fair since the author didn't do her own photography and photographers don't receive royalties on books like this.

Since "Hummingbirds: Beauty in Flight," with text by Arizona hummingbird researcher Karen Krebbs, is apparently out of print, "The World of the Hummingbird" by Robert Burton might be the best alternative for a general-interest book on hummingbirds. Burton's British and so can't claim anything close to Krebbs's in-depth familiarity with hummingbirds, but he's a well-known naturalist with several other bird books to his credit.

Gorgeous photos and fun, informative read!
This is a great introduction to hummingbirds. The text is delightful for all ages, and the photographs are stunning. These creatures are amazing, and I was surprised by so many things about them. I was also surprised that I didn't lose interest reading about them. From a birdwatching relative, I understand that the book has a lot of useful information for the novice as well as the veteran, and I've also been told that some of the species pictured are very rare to see in a book. I had no idea that hummingbirds come in so many different varieties with head crests and odd tails, not to mention their fascinating feeding, nesting and migrating habits. We all know they can fly like no other bird, but they sleep in an almost dead state? Truly amazing! My kids and I have really enjoyed having this book, and I have to say that my birdwatching relative prefers it to most other comparable hummingbird books on the market. ... Read more

Product Description
Robert Tyrrell, the world's foremost photographer of hummingbirds, has successfully captured on film the utterly fascinating day-to-day activities of our colorful North American species. Included among the 235 full-color pictures are never-before-photographed sequences such as nesting, molting, preening and territorial aggression, as well as an unprecedented portfolio of hummingbirds feeding from wildflowers.

Esther Tyrrell has written the accompanying illuminating text, by far the most complete and up-to-date information on hummingbirds ever assembled, which will make this book the definitive source for both scientists and the general reader for years to come.

This lavishly illustrated volume opens with an introduction to this lovely family of ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Great book
Bought this book for a backyard hummingbird enthusiast, on her request. She had a borrowed copy from a friend and wanted her own copy of this particular book as she found it informative and interesting.

Hummingbirds and their behavior
This book arrived in very good condition and on time. It was used for a gift to a fellow bird lover. Thanks for the good experience.

Hummingbirds:Their Life and Behavior
Fantastic book....everything you'd ever want to know about a very interesting little bird.Lots of colorful, close up photos and very informative.Over the years I've collected several other books on hummingbirds, after buying this book, I need buy no more.

Stunning Photos!
Of course, everyone loves the feisty, peppy hummingbird with it's glorious colors.This book shows details that the average birdwatcher never sees.The close up photos, some in action sequence, are a delight and there are pictures even showing the nests made of cobwebs, feathers and lichens.
The text supplements the photos giving details of the author's observations on hummingbird behavior.
One section covers the different hummingbirds, giving each variety a two-page spread.There are several photos plus a listing of the field markings, range, breeding range, winter range, nesting, migration and habitat for each.
Additional graphics are quite useful, like the one showing the names for the body parts of hummingbirds.What a useful (and beautiful) book!

Unbelievable photography
This book conains the most amazing photography imaginable (the authors' companion book Hummingbirds of the Caribbean is just as wonderful).Dazzling colors and awesome stopped-action shots. I can't imagine how it was done. ... Read more

Product Description
105 color photos, 7 x 9
Complete life cycle and behavior of a favorite backyard visitor
Full-color images from leading outdoor photographers
Praise for Stackpoles Wild Bird Guides

"Although the books are packed with information, the writing is clear and direct and accessible to bird watchers at every level. . . ."

Even those intimately familiar with the birds will find a great deal of new information here, and those who have only a passing acquaintance with them will find these books a valuable resource and a pleasure to read. The photographs, chosen to illustrate plumages and behaviors, are uniformly excellent, and many of them are stunning. . . .

This sixth book in the Wild Bird Guides series offers a detailed look at all aspects of this popular species, including communication, migration, diet, nesting, brooding, and the hummingbirds unique method of flight, all illustrated in brilliant color photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Must-have
This is the best of 4-5 hummingbird books I've seen, and includes details not found in other books.78 pages of text and photos, and I wish it was longer.

Hummingbirds
Good book to develop an understanding of the Ruby Throated Hummingbird, from migration, breeding, territorial behavior, and life history.

Great Ruby Throat Book
My biggest problem with this book is that it is about a thousand pages too short.Great reference book for those that are new to the Ruby.Read it cover to cover and wanted more.Photos are as good as the book.

Bob Sargent Shines
I just met Bob at the Audobon Hummingbird Festival near Memphis. He bands over 800 birds a year, and is such a giving caring man. Proceeds from this book help the Hummingbird cause.Fabulous pictures and full of information.

Great title in a great series
I've now collected a number of these little Wild Bird Guides. All of them are very good, this one the best I've read so far. As a "back-yard" birder, I see the same set of characters returning to my feeders, and it doesn't take too long before you want to get to know more about your new little friends. These guides provide more information than I've been able to ecrape together from various internet sources, and the photos are excellent.

The ruby-throated hummer is an absolutely amazing animal, and in this book you learn things like how these tiny creatures bulk up to 0.2 oz in order to accomplish the 600-mile flight over the Gulf of Mexico. There are countless other interesting facts about hummers in here - there's nothing very sweet about them, for example, no matter how sweetly they hover to feed.

Just the title for rounding out your knowledge of these fascinating creatures - ... Read more

Product Description
These are the latest titles in this popular series that introduces children to North American wildlife through color photographs and fascinating text. Young readers will be enchanted by America's smallest bird, the fearless hummingbird. Its resting heart rate is an astonishing 480 beats per minute and, unlike any other bird, it can fly backwards.

Few animals capture the imagination like wild horses. There are nearly 50,000 wild horses still roaming western North America. This book reveals their origins, their complex family systems, and how they live together off the land. ... Read more

Product Description
Definitive study of 65 known species of hummingbird: physical characteristics, habitat, behavior and flight dynamics, much more. Magnificently illustrated complete text containing much groundbreaking information. Published under the auspices of The American Museum of Natural History. 75 full-color photographs. 163 black-and-white illustrations. Index. Maps. Graphs. Diagrams.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds by Crawford Greenewalt has since it was first published been considered the definitive book about the little flying jewels. This reprint is not as luxurious as the original but it is just as fine in every other aspect. A truly great publication!!! ... Read more

Product Description
Racing Hummingbirds examines, critiques, and at times delights in one woman's navigation through the many worlds of manic depression and her struggle to maintain humanity in the process. Jeanann Verlee's award-winning debut collection is a series of narratives, prayers, and conjurings which address gender, sex, race, poverty, heartbreak, and survival with such stark intimacy, you will find yourself living inside. These poems cannot possibly be about you, yet they are. They cross boundaries and reclaim hope. They are as the opening poem suggests, nothing short of communion.Recipient of the Independent Publisher Book Award Silver Medal in Poetry.ReviewsRacing Hummingbirds is a masterful first collection... They are medicine words. —The LegendaryIt’s poetry with its teeth bared...completely and unapologetically naked. —PANK Magazine...a roller coaster of imagistic magic. Form, language, allusion, and voice interact, collide, shape-shift, and duel...throughout an utterly arresting mosaic.—Danse MacabreFierce and formidable, Jeanann Verlee is poised to make an indelible mark – much like a razor slashing silk – on what's become a comfortably placid poetic landscape. —Patricia Smith, author of Blood Dazzler and Teahouse of the Almighty...as visceral and searing as it is compassionate and forgiving. —Small Press Reviews...one of the most powerful collections I’ve ever read. —Roxane Gay, HTML Giant ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

a long-awaited book is finally here!
Jeanann Verlee is perhaps one of the best known & most beloved poets who is currently organizing & performing in the New York City Poetry Slam scene today (2010). With her poetry, Verlee has made her mark as a raw and detailed "poet of witness," sharing her stories with fearless candor and stunning talent.

Most of Verlee's best known poems can be found in "Racing Hummingbirds," her debut collection: "communion," "forty love letters," "unsolicited advice to adolescent girls with crooked hair and pink teeth," "the dolls," "this is how," "resurrection (Charles Chatman to his accuser)" and "chimes." If you want an idea of the power of these poems feel free to type in her name on YouTube or search it on the IndieFeed Performance Poetry Podcast. Or you can read her work in literary journals such as the New York Quarterly, PANK, danse macabre, FRiGG and decomP, among others. But you should know that works you are able to experience in these venues are just a taste of what Verlee has to offer in this astounding 100+ page volume.

Verlee studied poetry in college before she ever became involved in publicly performing her work, and so the work is carefully placed on the page & organized in the book for maximum impact: shorter work nestles with longer work, persona poems stand shoulder-to-shoulder with prose poems & form poems, poetry inspired by current events balances a book filled with so much intimate & personal writing. Some of the work is intense, raw in its language & jarring in its content, but the book as whole is never without hope or light. She might go into some very dark territory, but when Jeanann loves, she loves hard, and her celebratory poetry is some of her most beautiful.

All in all, the portrait "Racing Hummingbirds" paints is of a confident, powerful writer, who was finally ready to publish the book she has waited her entire life to release. It was a great final book to come out of Write Bloody Publishing's 2009 Open Book competition. I'm already looking forward to what their 2010 competition will bring.

mouth wide open:
"Racing Hummingbirds", Jeanann Verlee's debut collection of poetry, mixes together trauma, substance abuse and the sex appeal of polka dots without blinking once. Piercingly aware of the wider social context, Verlee builds offensively brilliant images with beer bottle/punk rock dialect painted onto the satin canvas revealed in her emotions.

If you've ever longed for verse that includes used condoms, pink mohawks or the "lost erection" of a one-night stand, you need look no further. Without apology, Verlee's textural instincts waltz delicacy round like a drunken virgin and still manage to maintain order and logic.Don't we all wish prom ended that neat? Snappy as a sailor's tongue, "Racing Hummingbirds" is this:: beauty, class and reconciliation meeting up for drinks at last.

On the short list of poets I consider to be presenting a new confessional style, Verlee is not writing poems to "woo" you, rather, she's courting herself. But she's saved you a seat in the car.

Through dense yet straight-forward stanzas, Verlee's ache -- the "hornet" stuck in her head -- becomes an offering, a voice, a compass for the anyone navigating the manic, the awkward, the physical mystery of sex, birth or the many nuances we carry from the womb.

Like the apple-pie America spiked with rum, the poetry is this collection has a wit and grace which cannot be overlooked or underestimated -- mainly because every flaw has already been documented in Verlee's purse; and she's recently learned how much prettier mental illnesses grow with age.

Grab a chair. Sit down. There's an entire cloud of woodpeckers headed straight for your heart.

... Read more

Product Description
From the Jim Crow world of 1920s Greenville, South Carolina, to Greenwich Village's Cafe Society in the '40s, to their 1974 Grammy-winning collaboration on "Loves Me Like a Rock," the Dixie Hummingbirds have been one of gospel's most durable and inspiring groups.Now, J. Jerome Zolten tells the Hummingbirds' fascinating story and with it the story of a changing music industry and a changing nation. When James Davis and his high-school friends starting singing together in a rural South Carolina church they could not have foreseen the road that was about to unfold before them. They began a ten-year jaunt of "wildcatting," traveling from town to town, working local radio stations, schools, and churches, struggling to make a name for themselves. By 1939 the a cappella singers were recording their four-part harmony spirituals on the prestigious Decca label. By 1942 they had moved north to Philadelphia and then New York where, backed by Lester Young's band, they regularly brought the house down at the city's first integrated nightclub, Cafe Society. From there the group rode a wave of popularity that would propel them to nation-wide tours, major record contracts, collaborations with Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon, and a career still vibrant today as they approach their seventy-fifth anniversary.Drawing generously on interviews with Hank Ballard, Otis Williams, and other artists who worked with the Hummingbirds, as well as with members James Davis, Ira Tucker, Howard Carroll, and many others, The Dixie Hummingbirds brings vividly to life the growth of a gospel group and of gospel music itself. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

terrific book
Full disclosure: I have known the author for many years.

This is wonderful book. Even though I know and admire the author, I would not lie about the book. If I didn't like it, I just wouldn't say anything. This is a wonderful book.

The book is solid scholarship, and it is readable. How often do you see that? It reads like a compelling narrative, which it is, but it also has the complete discography of the Dixie Hummingbirds, and chronicles the racist times the men lived in and overcame. It is equal parts reference for American Studies and a fun read.

Highly recommended!

Givin' God the Glory
Jerry Zolten, co-author of 'Speaking to an Audience' and writer for Living Blues magazine, has devoted his interest into the lives and music of The Dixie Hummingbirds. What would gospel be like today if not for the influence of singers like The Hummingbirds, Fairfield Four, Skylarks, Kings of Harmony, Radio Four, the Selahs among others? They brought to us the reality that gospel was poulated by every type of people you can name. All that travels the gospel road those that succeeded were the Dixie Hummingbirds for their spiritual qualities and their unique a-capella style. It was thier backbone and their success that kept them together until now. Before there was Rock-n-Roll there they were. They sang through history from the Depression, the World Wars, Korea and Vietnam and through the decades of changing pop culture. Now that perseverance and dedication rewarded them, this will be their 75th anniversary. They have their place in the American Music Hall of Fame.

This is their story that began in 1920s Greenville, S.C. to their 1974 Grammy winning song 'Love Me Like a Rock.' Others made popular during their long career are, 'Christian's Automobile,' 'Have a Little Talk With Jesus,' 'Ezekiel Saw the Wheel,' 'Two Little Fishes & Five Loaves of Bread,' 'Let's Go Out to The Programs,' 'Savior Don't Pass Me By,' 'Devil Can't Harm a Praying Man,' 'I've Been Born Again,' and 'Wonderful to Be Alive' among a long line of memorable songs. James Davis and his friends began singing in a rural church. Their next 10 years would be jaunting from town to town, working radio stations, schools and churches. By 1939, the a-capella songbirds recorded their 4-part harmony spirituals on Decca. By 1942, they moved to Philadelphia and then New York with the Lester Young band they brought down the house each night at the Café Society. For there they catapulted into nationwide tours, major revord contracts, collaborating with Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon. And they're still going stronger as ever. There are interviews of the artists who worked with the Hummingbirds. The book brings out the vivid life that shaped the gospel singers and gospel music. In the words of Ira Tucker, Sr. at the anniversary roast, he said, "There have been a lot of people that have turned their backs on us. But you know what? The man upstairs sits high and looks low. That's who we have our faith and trust in, is God Almighty. I'd like to say this to you. It wasn't the money that kept the Hummingbirds out there." In conclusion"....Don't think that we are finished. I'm glad not. AMEN. There are notes in the back of the book to further your search in Blues, Gospel, Jazz & Broadcasting with bibliography of books, articles, interviews, recordings & documentaries for more reading. n the subject of Blues, Gospel and those that influence the story of soul music, like Willie Dixon, Billie Holliday, Wynonie Harris, Mahalia Jackson and Josh White. Afterwards is a listing of the Hummingbirds recordings of their singles and albums, anthologies & collections, CD & Videos. Their collaborations with Marion Williams(Standing Here Wondering Which Way to Go), Melissa Manchester (Bright Eyes), Leon Redbone (Double Time), Harry Chapin (Living Room Suite), The Kennedys (Life is Large) and House of Blues-Music in the Air: The Dixie Hummingbirds 70th Anniversary Celebration and All-Star Tribute with Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Patty LaBelle, Wynonna Judd, Shirley Caesar and Vickie Winans. With all this, isn't that why they're so successful! ... Read more

Product Description
Hummingbirds and butterflies add interest, beauty, and enjoyment to a garden.This book describes the characteristics, behavior, and needs of these creatures.Plant-selection lists and necessary design elements are included, as are descriptions of the most common hummingbird and butterfly species.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

For Hummingbird & Butterfly Lovers
To encourage butterflies, one can design a garden especially to attract them.For details, try this book.Besides plants, they need water, maybe just a little puddle, and a place to bask in the sun.Another handsome book on the topic is Bird and Butterfly Gardens.
It is such a treat when a hummingbird hovers just inches away from you.Its tiny wings make a whirring sound and they are such fun to watch.

A Fount of Information
This is a very informative book for those who want plain language information on attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.The author explains things, step by step, and shows pictures to help yourunderstanding.All of the Ortho books are written in a clear,comprehensible manner.A definite buy for your library! ... Read more

Product Description
Engaging natural history information for a general audience on one of the most beloved groups of birds, including tips on attracting and watching hummingbirds. This book contains stunning photographs of common North American and exotic world species. It explains the details of the tiny hummingbird's amazing twice-yearly migration. More than a dozen species of hummingbirds live in North America, and scores more live in the southern tropics. Details of these fascinating creatures' lives in the wild are presented in an easy-to-read format. ... Read more

Product Description
Meet the ladies: a flock of smart, affectionate, highly individualistic chickens who visit their favorite neighbors, devise different ways to hide from foxes, and mob the author like she’s a rock star. In these pages you’ll also meet Maya and Zuni, two orphaned baby hummingbirds who hatched from eggs the size of navy beans, and who are little more than air bubbles fringed with feathers. Their lives hang precariously in the balance—but with human help, they may one day conquer the sky.

Snowball is a cockatoo whose dance video went viral on YouTube and who’s now teaching schoolchildren how to dance. You’ll meet Harris’s hawks named Fire and Smoke. And you’ll come to know and love a host of other avian characters who will change your mind forever about who birds really are.

Each of these birds shows a different and utterly surprising aspect of what makes a bird a bird—and these are the lessons of Birdology: that birds are far stranger, more wondrous, and at the same time more like us than we might have dared to imagine. In Birdology, beloved author of The Good Good Pig Sy Montgomery explores the essence of the otherworldly creatures we see every day. By way of her adventures with seven birds—wild, tame, exotic, and common—she weaves new scientific insights and narrative to reveal seven kernels of bird wisdom.

The first lesson of Birdology is that, no matter how common they are, Birds Are Individuals, as each of Montgomery’s distinctive Ladies clearly shows. In the leech-infested rain forest of Queensland, you’ll come face to face with a cassowary—a 150-pound, man-tall, flightless bird with a helmet of bone on its head and a slashing razor-like toenail with which it (occasionally) eviscerates people—proof that Birds Are Dinosaurs. You’ll learn from hawks that Birds Are Fierce; from pigeons, how Birds Find Their Way Home; from parrots, what it means that Birds Can Talk; and from 50,000 crows who moved into a small city’s downtown, that Birds Are Everywhere. They are the winged aliens who surround us.

Birdology explains just how very "other" birds are: Their hearts look like those of crocodiles. They are covered with modified scales, which are called feathers. Their bones are hollow. Their bodies are permeated with extensive air sacs. They have no hands. They give birth to eggs. Yet despite birds’ and humans’ disparate evolutionary paths, we share emotional and intellectual abilities that allow us to communicate and even form deep bonds. When we begin to comprehend who birds really are, we deepen our capacity to approach, understand, and love these otherworldly creatures. And this, ultimately, is the priceless lesson of Birdology: it communicates a heartfelt fascination and awe for birds and restores our connection to these complex, mysterious fellow creatures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

A little over the top!! (possible spoiler alert)
I was so excited to read this book!I loved the topics covered, and after reading reviews, I was expecting to love every page.Eh...not so much.Some parts were really, really good.The Parrots section in particular was excellent, the chapter on hummingbirds struck a chord, as I had intently watched a webcam of a nest with 2 babies all spring & sumer!Even the chickens segment was pretty entertaining.The segment on searching for a Cassowary was way, way too pat.She saw one on the very last day of her stay, after she had been somehow divinely delayed?Really?

She totally lost me in the chapter on Raptors. "...perhaps these gorgeous creatures - whom I love like an Aztec loves the sun..." and "My whole soul feels like a yawning hole that only this bird can fill" and finally, "I am lost in her pleasure, lost in her beauty, drowning in my love of this bird." WTH?

I quit the chapter at that point, feeling just a wee bit voyeuristic.When Ms Montgomery focuses her intelligence on the scientific aspects of her topics, she soars as well as the birds she studies.But when she goes for the spiritual poetic slant, it feels like a 7th grader writing a romance novel.All in all, I learned a few really interesting things, but I wouldn't read another book by her.

She's for the birds
Sy Montgomery shares her love of animals with her very personal adventures with several types.Each chapter reveals both facts and peccadilloes about a bird species she has sought out and spent a good deal of time with.This is not a book for experts nor will it make you one when you complete reading it, but you will gain in appreciation for the majesty and diversity of our fine feathered friends.

Birdology is a Wonderful Book! A truly unique perspective on birds, and beautifully written
I have read all of author/naturalist Sy Montgomery's books. In Birdology, Montgomery manages again to do what she does so well: to blend extensive information about animals with enormous empathy for them, with unusual insights into their lives derived from her personal experiences with diverse creatures. Birdology looks at the lives and abilities and evolution of birds from this unique perspective, using several particular species as exemplars. Along the way one also learns about her adventures while exploring the avian world. This is a wonderfully engaging book; I enjoyed it very much, and highly recommend it to all!

Lively, fun leisure reading for aviary fans and general fans of wildlife evolves
BIRDOLOGY: ADVENTURES WITH A PACK OF HENS, A PECK OF PIGEONS, CANTANKEROUS CROWS, FIERCE FALCONS, HIP HOP PARROTS, BABY HUMMINGBIRDS, AND ONE MURDEROUSLY BIG LIVING DINOSAUR provides general interest libraries with a fun account answering questions about avian personalities and present birds. Each chapter tells about a relationship or adventure with a bird whose species illustrates keys on what makes a bird a bird. Lively, fun leisure reading for aviary fans and general fans of wildlife evolves.

A charmer
Like many readers, I found myself thoroughly enchanted by Sy Montgomery's previous book, "The Good Good Pig." Not only was it an entertaining look at what it's like to have a pig around your house (no, really, it's kind of fun), but it was a touching look at what we'd all like to think of what Small Town USA is like. If you haven't read it, go do so in the near future.

"Birdology" is a different book, but it's still frequently fascinating. Who knew that birds were so interesting?

Montgomery goes through seven different birds here, one at a time. The first chapter probably is the most charming, as she returns to her home ground to write about her chickens. "The Ladies" are practically part of the family, with each of the birds having different personalities.

From there, Montgomery looks into pigeons that race, hummingbirds that are healed and raised, and crows who are told to get out of town. What's more, there isn't a bad story in the lot. I mean, who wouldn't want to dance with a parrot on a birthday? Who wouldn't want to see a bird who is left over from the dinosaur era?

Montgomery's love of the subject matter certainly shines through in the course of the book. There are plenty of facts about each bird, of course, but this often concentrates on the people who love them -- which has its own rewards. What's more, the author rarely gets bogged down in the text, which is a danger when writing about a scientific area.

Here's one immediate effect from reading "Birdology": This morning I went outside for something, and there was a bird standing on my driveway. I thought to myself, "I wonder what he's thinking." I wouldn't have said that before I read this book. This will engage almost any reader, and I can't think of a better gift for the bird-watcher in your life. ... Read more

Product Description
Paul A. Johnsgard's Hummingbirds of North America is the only book devoted to the identification, distribution, and biology -- both individual and comparative -- of all hummingbirds that breed in North America. Including updated range maps, identification keys, and a bibliography that has been broadened to include literature on the little-known Mexican species, the book is both accessible to amateur birders and an authoritative volume for ornithologists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Poorly organized
If you are looking for general information about hummingbirds, not bad at all.

Trying to use this book to identify the birds is almost impossible. I bought the book because I live in Mexico and there are lots of hummers here.

Evidently the person(s) who set this book up either had never, ever SEEN a decent field guide (yes, I know this is not a field guide) or thought that nobody would buy the book who couldn't already identify each species.

Excellent, valuable technical resource but not a photo book
I am thrilled with this purchase.I already own several coffeetable photograph books on hummingbirds so was looking for one with more technical, scientific information.Since this book is published by the Smithsonian, in its second printing, and got excellent reviews from scientific publications (see the reviews listed on the back cover when you"look inside the book"), I figured it would meet my need for more in-depth information.I was right.

However, be advised, the color plates are beautiful paintings but not photographs.In fact, there isn't a photograph in the entire book, so if that's what you're searching for, buy a different book.If you want an in-depth study of North American and Mexican hummingbirds, complete with range, identification information, habitats, breeding etc., this is your book.And while it is based on scientific and technical references, the writing style is interesting and accessible for us lay people.

By the way, according to this book, the Portuguese name for "hummingbird" literally means "flower-kisser," while the literal translations for Central and South American names for "hummingbird" include:"rays of the sun" and "tresses of the day-star."If you're interested enough in hummingbirds to be researching books on them, I thought you'd enjoy knowing this.

Great technical guide to hummingbirds
This is a truly fascinating book on hummingbirds. It is a must-have guide for anyone looking for complete technical information on these birds. Numerous charts, maps & b/w illustrations really help.

The bookstarts out with 24 color plates of paintings showcasing a wide variety ofhummingbird species. Next, hummingbirds are classified & their generalattributes are described.

Then distribution is covered. The evolution ofthe birds & how they became specialized in also explained. Thefollowing chapters compare anatomy, physiology, biology, ecology &reproduction of the different species.

Over 40 different species aredescribed in detail, including range, size, habitat, movements &foraging behavior. Identification keys for both North American &Mexican hummingbirds are a great bonus. ... Read more

Product Description
From the Cultured Madness of Hollywood to the Crisis of 9/11 comes an Angelic Encounter for the New MillenniumFinally there's a book that dares to ask the question: Is it possible that the animals we encounter in our lives are often angels in disguise? And answers it with a resounding, 'Yes!"Written as visionary fiction, The Return of the Hummingbird Wizard is also the first book ever that has managed to take a profoundly effective course in spiritual awareness and play it off the insanity chic that has become Hollywood. As such, it brings its readers an extraordinary combination of biting social stire and life-affirming spititual lessons-taught by an angel in the character of a hummingbird- and weaves them into an often touching yet irreverently amusing book about the redemption of human spirit.Subtitled "An Angelic Encounter for Modern Times," The Return of the Hummingbird Wizard also raises this question: Can spiritual development be taught as a crash course, especially if your life may depend upon it? And that brings us to the rest of the story.Jonathan Vieren is a 50-something Hollywood producer on the downside of his industry cachet who, among other things, has just been hit with a terminal cancer prognosis that brings him to the end of his rope (and perhaps the end of his days). That's when a male hummingbird on his hillside home in Malibu mysteriously weaves himself into Jonathan's days and nights and offers him a crash course in spiritual awareness-The Ten songs of the Hummingbird- that can quite possibly save his.Near his wits end, Jonathan takes the cheeky little bird up on his offer. And what follows is a journey of self-discovery filled with love and inner peace, but also nicely spiced with wit, wisdom, good common sense, and some very satirical ways of looking at the Hollywood film community with a kind of loving impatience and a strong sense of what truly matters in life.Written poetically and yet with a driving sense of urgency, The Return of the Hummingbird Wizard takes us on a journey along the colorful corridors of jaded Tinsel Town, through the stratospheres of higher consciousness, and down to the calamity and healing of 9/11. As such it offers the reader a very orginal story that it is a feast for the mind, candy for the wit, and healing for the heart. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

A Splendid Insight into the Soul
Robert Ahola's work of visionary fiction is a splendid insight into the soul.
Written with wit, wisdom, and laced with poetic imagery, it dares to take us into
the dark chambers of inner dialogue and the highest notions of the human heart.
Well worth the read.

Mayra Calvani -- Curled Up With A Good Book
Is it possible to be in control of your own destiny? If your body expresses disease, is it because your mind has planted it there? Can death become your best friend and teacher? Can miracles happen when least expected? These are the main questions explored in this story of revelation and spiritual awakening.

Fifty-year-old Hollywood screenwriter and producer Jonathan Vieren is at the lowest he's ever been. On the same day his girlfriend dumps him, his best script gets ripped-off by a studio, he is forced to leave his much-loved hillside Malibu home, and he is diagnosed with cancer.

With the help of a hummingbird--his spirit guide and bird-totem--Jonathan embarks on a spiritual journey or "skiing," as the author calls it, that takes him through a series of lessons or "songs," like The Gospel of Resolution, Embrace The Child In Everyone, Live The Moment, Gratitude, and Embrace The Holy Spirit In Everything, among several others.

At times poetic and adorned with beautiful imagery, at times overly embellished to the point of obtuseness, this is the kind of book that both delights and irritates. The main problems with the book, however, are the slow beginning--the plot begins to move at about page seventy, when Jonathan is diagnosed with cancer--and the inability of the protagonist to "jump off the page" and become real enough to affect the reader at an emotional level. In spite of his painful and even tragic predicament, Jonathan's behavior, thoughts and actions don't seem as genuinely human as the situation calls for.

Another disappointing aspect of the book is the dialogue between Jonathan and the hummingbird. For a spirit guide, the hummingbird doesn't sound especially wise or clever, giving the impression that Jonathan is merely talking to himself.

Ultimately the book deals with an important theme and has a valid message or lesson--to "Take joy in what you do, or surely what you do will take its toll"--but fails to deliver because of pitfalls in plot and characterization.

Stimulating, interesting, spiritual and entertaining
I just finished this book and was impressed with the content and the philosophical, ethical, historical, scientific and literary connections used in presenting the interesting story. I was particularly impressed with the strong emphasis of seeing the good and the positive in others as opposed to (typical) seeing the negative. The book is a current day Socratic dialog. The Second Song certainly relates to Meno. I was not aware of the powerful William Blake quote "A truth that's told with bad intent beats any lie we could invent" until I read it in this book. Politicians have become masters of this.

The book as fiction was stimulating, interesting and entertaining. However, more important to me, it was a helpful spiritual book.

Read it-- You'll Love it.
The Return of the Hummingbird Wizard is just flat exceptional. Penned as a visionary fiction, it is poetic, touching and hilarious - all often on the very same page. Its "Ten Songs of the Hummingbird" are a mixture of profoundly new spiritual strains of thought and time-tested philosophical credos. And they all work. Apply them in your daily life and watch the changes come. It's also the most beautiful affirmation of the angelic in our lives all presented in the warm and familiar world of animals. Read it. You'll love it.

As thoughtful and thought-provoking as it is entertaining
The Return Of The Hummingbird Wizard is the story of Jonathan Vieren, a middle-aged Hollywood screenwriter and producer whose professional career is going into decline, and who has just received news from his doctor that his last medical checkup revealed what looks to be a terminal cancer. What Jonathan needs is some kind of crash course in how to come to grips with what has become of his life. That's when he encounters a male hummingbird on his hillside home in Malibu. This feathered guide whom Jonathan believes is a kind of angelic messenger proceeds to give him an instructive course in spiritual awareness that just might save his life. In The Return Of The Hummingbird Wizard, author Robert Joseph Ahola has crafted a work of spiritually inspiring fiction that is as thoughtful and thought-provoking as it is entertaining and engaging.
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Product Description
An intimate view of the busy, fascinating world of these birds. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

We really enjoyed it
This was a nice little book which looked at one year in the life of a Ruby Throated Hummingbird. We see what this "busy" bird is doing during each season. We follow them as they migrate (by using a map you could throw in some geography too).

My boys were really surprised at all the things the hummers do. There is a brief section on mating but it mainly deals with the swooping in the air and facing the sun so their feathers glisten and then "mating lasts 3-5 seconds and then the male goes back to searching for food and the female returns to the nest."

The illustrations were nice and gave us a good perspective on size. I do wish the pictures had been clearer though - you wouldn't be able to identify the bird from the drawings. So we pulled up some actual pictures and we're good now.

I don't consider this a necessary book but it is well done and if your library has it it would make a lovely read or a great addition to a bird unit.

*taken from my at goodreads

Educational read
We have a lot of hummigbirds at our cabin and love them so this has been a very educational book.Probably a little old yet for our two 4-year-olds but they will grow into it.I actually learned a lot.

ADORABLE! Great for bird lovers of ALL ages
I highly recommend this book, it is colorful, contains interesting facts and is written in simple language for children. A great gift for a bird lover of any age!

Beautifully Written and Illustrated
Irene Kelly's most recentbook is a must have for any child's library - but adults will also love it.It's a Hummingbird's Life is filled with fun facts and lyrical watercolors. My daughter was thrilled to receive this gem ofbook, and has read it over and over.Parents will especially appreciate the tips on hummingbird gardens.

A pleasure for kids and grown-ups, too
This beautiful book is filled with fun and fascinating hummingbird lore.A great choice for children who like to read facts about living creatures.My son has been recounting what he learned from Irene Kelly's book to everyone who will listen.These tiny birds are rendered in dazzling color and detail by this artist, who also has a handle on exactly what children want to know.Highly recommended! ... Read more